Summer Break Parenting Hacks: How I’m Balancing Work, Play, and Two Kids at Home

One day you’re packing lunches, hustling through school drop-offs, and enjoying a few quiet work hours. The next? You’re refereeing sibling arguments, refilling snacks on repeat, and hearing “Mommy, watch this!” on loop—all before 9 a.m.

Even as a former stay-at-home mom, the shift from school-year structure to full-time summer togetherness hit me hard. I should be used to this, right? But now that I work from home, balancing work deadlines with two small kids home all day has felt... overwhelming.

And while I love having more time with them, I’ve also had mornings where I’ve completely lost my cool. Let’s be real, it happens. What matters most is what comes next: the apology, the repair, the reminder that we’re all still learning.

If you’re in that in-between space—wanting to be present but also needing a minute to think (or, you know, finish a sentence)—you’re not alone. This season is beautiful, loud, chaotic, and full of little chances to reconnect with our kids and ourselves.

In this blog, I’m sharing the parenting hacks, mindset shifts, and small wins that are helping me navigate this summer without losing the joy (or my mind). Let’s dive in!

1. Connection Doesn’t Have to Be Constant—It Has to Be Intentional

When your kids are home all day, it’s easy to feel like you should be doing more—more playing, more engaging, more memory-making. But the truth is, you don’t have to be “on” 24/7 to make your child feel loved and connected. What matters most is the quality of your attention, not the quantity.

Sometimes, connection means saying yes to something that makes you cringe a little—like slime.

Case in point: yesterday, my two kids and their 9-year-old cousin had “slime” on the brain. I almost said no (because, let’s be honest, it’s messy and stressful and not exactly my idea of fun). But I took a deep breath, grabbed the ingredients, set a firm ground rule that it had to stay at the craft table, and we made the slime together.

Twenty minutes of guided, hands-on play bought me an entire hour—yes, a full hour—of joyful, independent play filled with squeals, slime bubbles, and zero interruptions. Totally worth it.

The takeaway? Small moments of focused, intentional connection can set your kids up for bigger stretches of independent time. And you don’t need to be available every second. You just need to show up in the moments that matter.

Even a short puzzle, reading break, or craft setup can meet your child’s need for attention—and free you up for the quiet 45 minutes you were desperate for.

2. Empower Independent Play (Without the Guilt)

Independent play is a skill. And like any skill, it takes time to build. It’s totally normal for your child to resist at first or ask for ideas every five minutes. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means they’re still learning.

One way I’ve found success? Set the stage. Instead of saying “go play,” offer a clear invitation:

• “Here are your Magnatiles. Can you build me a zoo?”
  
  

• “Want to draw a menu for your pretend restaurant? I’ll help you get started.”
  
  

• “How many books can you ‘read’ to your stuffed animals while I work?”
  
  

And remember that slime moment? That worked because I gave them a few minutes of focused attention first. That little window of connection helped spark their creativity and gave me the space to get a few things done.

Also: resist the pressure to entertain every second. Boredom often leads to the most creative breakthroughs (eventually). If you’ve laid the foundation, it’s okay to let them figure out what’s next, even if it starts with a little whining.

Guilt-free parenting means trusting that giving your child space to play independently is good for both of you.

3. Create a Loose Summer Rhythm (That Gives Everyone a Little Freedom)

Let’s be real—summer doesn’t need a color-coded schedule. But a little structure? It helps everyone.

After a few chaotic mornings, I realized my kids weren’t the only ones craving consistency. I was, too. So we started following a super simple rhythm:

Morning = outside play or an outing
Afternoon = quiet time, crafts, or screen time
Evening = family time, dinner, and a predictable bedtime routine

It’s not rigid, but it is predictable. And that predictability creates a sense of calm, especially when the days start to blur together.

You don’t need to map out every hour. Just create a few anchor points in your day: a mid-morning snack, a standing park playdate, a post-lunch storytime. Those touchpoints give your kids something to count on, and help you build your work or downtime around them.

It’s less about controlling the day and more about giving it a gentle shape.

4. Loosen the Reins (and Keep It Simple)

Summer doesn’t have to be magical every day—and trying to make it perfect can suck the fun right out of it.

I’ve found that when I stop micromanaging the mess, the schedule, or the sibling dynamics, everyone has a better time (especially me). That means:

• Letting go of Pinterest-level crafts and embracing the 5-minute version.
  
  

• Saying yes to popsicles in the bath or breakfast picnics in the living room.
  
  

• Keeping expectations realistic and plans flexible.
  
  

The truth? Most kids remember how summer felt, not how elaborate the activity was. A day with sidewalk chalk, water play, and cold watermelon can be just as joyful as any big outing.

When I loosen my grip, I make more room for laughter, creativity, and those spontaneous moments that remind me: this season is short, and simple can still be special.

5. When You Lose It (Because You Will), Repair and Reset

Let’s normalize something real quick: You’re going to lose your cool this summer. Maybe before breakfast. Maybe before coffee. Maybe because one child is whining and the other just dumped kinetic sand into their sibling’s hair.

It happens. And when it does? You’re not a bad parent—you’re a human one.

For me, that looks like yelling when I’m overwhelmed… usually triggered by, you guessed it, yelling. We call it my “mom-ster” moment.

What matters most is what happens next. I try to pause, apologize, and move forward—with compassion for them and myself. 

And when everyone’s still a little frazzled, we use what we call “chill skills” in our house to get back on track:

• Dragon breathing: three short breaths in, one long one out
  
  

• Clench your fists and tighten all the muscles in your body, then release with a deep breath.
  
  

• Take a space break, even if it’s just to different corners of the room
  
  

These aren’t just for kids—they help me regroup, too. And we try to practice these skills before we lose our cool. 

Summer is long. Emotions run high. But every repair is a chance to model something even more important than staying calm: how to handle the tough moments.

Final Thoughts: A Little Creativity (and Flexibility) Go a Long Way

Having young kids home for summer break is no small feat—especially when you’re balancing work, responsibilities, and the constant chorus of “watch this!”

But a little creativity, a few intentional moments, and the freedom to loosen your grip can make a big difference. You don’t need perfect plans or nonstop engagement, just a few parenting hacks, flexible rhythms, and the ability to reset when things go off track.

And if you’re deep in the messy middle right now—you’re in good company. Here’s to a summer that’s simple, connected, and just chaotic enough to be memorable. You got this!